Paul Filibusters Brennan Nomination, Senate Delays Vote

Paul Filibusters Brennan Nomination, Senate Delays Vote

Article excerpt

Sen. Rand Paul began an old-fashioned filibuster of CIA director
nominee John O. Brennan Wednesday, taking to the floor to protest
the Obama administration's stance over whether the U.S. government
can conduct targeted killings of suspected terrorists on U.S. soil.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., offered a consent
agreement to hold a cloture vote after 90 more minutes of debate but
Paul objected, although he suggested he might end his filibuster if
the Obama administration would acknowledge it does not have the
authority to order drone strikes in the United States.

Reid brushed off that request. "Everyone should plan on coming in
tomorrow. We're through for the night," he said. Reid did not file
for cloture, however. Brennan does appear to have enough support to
surmount a 60-vote threshold to invoke cloture and clear his
nomination.

"I will speak until I can no longer speak," the Kentucky
Republican vowed as he began his effort shortly before noon. Under
current Senate practice, a filibuster no longer requires continual
speaking as it once did.

On Tuesday, Paul disclosed two letters he had received from the
Obama administration in response to his questions over whether it
has the power to conduct targeted killings on U. …